- Be thinking about your binding and your cover. Your book shouldn't be stapled together, you can weave your pages together with string, use a three ring binder, spiral binding or another creative method.
- Your cover may have drawings or pictures pasted on the outside cover, inside cover, and on the spine if you wish.
- You will make a Table of Contents, Dedication Page, 10 chapters, and an Epilogue.
Chapter 1: "Who Am I?"
Write about yourself, answering the following questions. Use the 5 paragraph format.
Who are you? Where do you live? What are your life goals? How do you expect to reach those goals?
Chapter 2: Before I was, There Were...
Write about your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, older cousins and siblings and anybody who may not be a relative but who has helped to pave the way for you and your family. Write this in letter format.
Chapter 3: Suddenly I Became Me
Write about your earliest memories: people, places, events, all those cute things that you did when you were tiny, that your mother, father, grandparents or guardians tell you about. Write in the five paragraph format.
Chapter 4: School Bells
Write about your early years in school - K through 6 - learning to read, special school programs, special projects, special friends, and favorite subject. Write in Narrative Poetry form.
Chapter 5: I Grew Up Here
Describe your town, neighborhood, rural community. Write in the five paragraph format.
Chapter 6: Let's Go to the Movies
Write about your favorite movies at different times in your life: childhood, early teen years, and now. Write in your favorite poem format.
Chapter 7: I Wish I Could See _____ Again
Tell about a childhood friend that you have no contact with anymore but would like to see again. Write in any format.
Chapter 8: Middle School
Write about your fears, emotions, how you have changed, teachers, friends, activities, successes, heartbreaks. Use the five paragraph essay format.
Chapter 9: Let's Take a Vacation
Write about a memorable trip you took with your family or friends or a trip you would like to take. Write a narrative poem - 4 stanzas.
Chapter 10: High School Expectations
Write about what you expect high school to be like. What are your fears? What are you looking forward to most? Where do you expect to be in 10 years? Write in the five paragraph essay format.
Depending on where you are in High School write about: The Early Years" - Your freshman, sophomore, and junior years in high school: highlights, troubles, successes, heartbreaks, friends, teachers, coaches.
If you're a senior, also include: At Last, I'm a Senior" - Your senior year: highlights, troubles, etc.
Write your Epilogue: "If I could change one thing about my character, I would...”
Now you can assemble your memory book, design your cover and the special binding. Keep your book in a safe place and you'll have a memory book that you'll treasure for years to come.
(Adapted from lesson by Patricia Kohut)
